Billboard Women in Music awards recognizes Korean talent for first time

Female talents in K-pop, both artists and producers, will be honored at the Billboard Women in Music (WIM) 2023 awards for the first time on Wednesday. This year, girl group Twice will be the first K-pop act to receive the Breakthrough ...

Girl group Twice [JYP ENTERTAINMENT]

Female talents in K-pop, both artists and producers, will be honored at the Billboard Women in Music (WIM) 2023 awards for the first time on Wednesday.

Billboard WIM is an annual event that has been held since 2007 to recognize "music's rising artists, creators, producers and executives for their contributions to the industry and community," according to the event's website.

This year, girl group Twice will be the first K-pop act to receive the Breakthrough Award, which honors “today’s most influential female powerhouses who are shaping the music landscape," according to Billboard.

The girl group will also perform during the ceremony, which will take place at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles.

Min Hee-jin, president of ADOR, left, and Shin Seon-jeong, the leader of the training and development department at HYBE [EACH COMPANY]

Five executives from K-pop powerhouse HYBE will also be honored for their success with boy band BTS and girl group NewJeans: Min Hee-jin, president of ADOR and chief producer of NewJeans; Shin Seon-jeong, the leader of the training and development department at HYBE; Allison Kaye, president of music at HYBE America; Jennifer McDaniels, president of management at HYBE America; and Jules Ferree, president of brands and ventures at HYBE America.

"If HYBE can find additional success with the marketing model that built K-pop group BTS into megastars, the Korean company could become a global force," wrote Billboard in its recognition of HYBE's five talents.

"The latest win came in January when HYBE imprint ADOR put K-pop girl group NewJeans’ single 'Ditto' onto the Hot 100, while reaching No. 8 on the Billboard Global 200."

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]